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Peter Stefanovic Hachette Australia ISBN 9780733635687 Published August, 2016 Reviewed by Debbie Berger Peter Stefanovic spent the last 10 years as a foreign correspondent for Channel 9 in Europe, North Africa and America. He has witnessed more death and devastation than most of us could imagine. Hack in a Flak Jacket is told from the front line of some of the world’s most terrible events – many caused by terrorism, war and natural disasters. Peter and his cameraman were […]

Jackie French Bruce Whatley Scholastic Press ISBN: 9781743623596 RRP: $24.99 – Hardback Publication date: February, 2016 Reviewed by Debbie Berger A beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the story of the devastating tropical cyclone that hit the city of Darwin in 1974, killing 71 people. Cyclone Tracy is imprinted into the minds of Australian’s who were alive during the Christmas of 1974. This book tells the story of strength and courage of Australians and has themes of courage, hope […]

Kathryn Lomer University Press QLD ISBN 978070225369 Published: August, 2015 RRP: $19.95 Talk Under Water tells the story two teens, Will and Summer, who meet online on a Jessica Watson social media page. They share a love of sailing, an admiration of Jessica Watson and a connection to the same small town in Tasmania. Written in dual point of view, it is mostly presented in the form of email exchanges. The book explores friendship and subsequent first love; divorce and […]

D Luckett Omnibus Books ISBN 9781742990392 RRP $15.99 Age 8+ Historical fiction Date of publication August 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book was given high praise by a Year 6 girl who is not a particularly committed reader. That is enough for me to recommend it. It is one of a new series of books loosely based on fact and looking at the lives of young people moving to Australia. This one is set in the early 1900’s.

Jim Haynes Allen and Unwin ISBN: 9781760113063 Publication date: August 2015 RRP: $22.99 Reviewed by Debbie Berger Looking for good dose of Aussie culture? Look no further than this excellent collection of Aussie yarns by Jim Haynes. Broken into sections such as Aussie Humour, Aussie Myths and Mysteries, Yarns From our Past and Racing Yarns there is something here for everyone. The introduction explains the history of yarn telling in Australia. For example, the expression ‘spinning a yarn’ comes from […]

Michael Hyde Ford Street Publishing Pty Ltd ISBN: 9781925000993 Publication date: May 2015 RRP: $17.95 Reviewed by Debbie Berger Footy Dreaming tells the tale of two talented boys, Ben and Noah, and their dreams of playing AFL at the MGC. It is set in a Victorian town where the boys play in rival teams and where football is the way of life for everyone. When Noah is racially vilified in a match against Ben’s team, things change for both of […]

Phil Cummings Owen Swan Scholastic ISBN 9781743622544 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Phil Cummings has had two outstanding books published this year. Ride, Ricardo, Ride! and now Newspaper Hats. This latest one has been described as “a gentle yet powerful story” and it certainly is. Owen Swan supports the story with wonderful illustrations and the inside covers feature old newspaper articles which is such a clever idea. This is really a great book.

Pauline Deeves National Library of Australia ISBN: 9780642278500 RRP: $14.99 Published April 2014 Reviewed by Eva Midnight Burial takes place in Australia in the 1860s. The story centres on Florence Williamson, a 10 year mischievous girl who always seems to be up to no good. Florence becomes curious about the mysterious death and burial of her older sister, Lizzie. Florence was told Lizzie died from a fever – but she isn’t convinced this is the real story. Midnight Burial is […]

Darrel &Sally Odgers Janine Dawson Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743623008 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication March 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Stamp (Barnaby Station Stamp of Approval) is back with another adventure and this one involves a bush fire and some new animal friends.

Darrel & Sally Odgers Janine Dawson Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743622995 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication March 2015 Reviewer Megan Staurt This is an early chapter book about a border collie called Barnaby Station Stamp of Approval …. Stamp for short. Stamp is travelling around Australia with James Barnaby in a four wheel drive vehicle when he and James encounter heavy rain and a rising river. The story is told by Stamp and it is “pawfectly” done.

Clare Atkins Black Inc ISBN: 9781863956895 Keywords: Australian, Young Adult Age: 14+ Publication date: October 2014 RRP: $19.99 Reviewer: Debbie Berger Rosie is a 15 year old white girl growing up in a remote Australian town where she lives in an Aboriginal community. Her childhood best friend, Nona, is Aboriginal. In fact, Nona is considered her sister as Rosie’s family has been adopted Nona’s Aboriginal family. Nona moved away at age nine and Rosie goes to the local high school […]